Integral catwalk support

ABSTRACT

A structural support system for a bin structure. The structural support system comprises at least two parallel and spaced apart support columns. Each column has a plurality of inner column sections adjacent to the bin structure and a plurality of outer column sections coupled to the inner column sections. The inner and outer column sections form a closed shape support column configured for transferring vertical loads from an upper area of the bin structure to the foundation. An auxiliary device such as a catwalk or conveyor system may be attached to the top of the support columns. An anchor member may be provided, configured to allow limited movement of the auxiliary structure in relation to the support structure. Associated methods for strengthening the structural support of a bin structure are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/533,627 filed on Jul. 31, 2009. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bin structures, and more particularly,to an integral structural support system for a catwalk or otherauxiliary structure.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Conventional support structures for the placement of a catwalk, conveyorand other auxiliary structures above farm bin structures are known inthe art. Typically, such catwalks are supported by independent towersformed of two legs cross-braced together that extend down to the ground.The towers can be attached to the sides of a grain bin via brackets tothe body sheet or to vertical stiffeners. Alternatively or additionally,independent towers formed of two legs cross-braced together extendingonly partially to the ground can be provided. Vertical loads arecommonly transferred directly from the catwalk to such catwalk towersbut may generate unwanted forces within the bin structure. Conventionalcatwalk supports and towers are separate from the standard grain binstructure and can have complicated installation processes requiring anextensive amount of installation time and labor. In addition, suchseparate towers can interfere with other surrounding bins or equipment.Typically, they can only be installed after the entire bin structure isassembled. Having separate, long, and heavy columns to ensure a sturdyindependent tower increases both production and shipping costs.

While conventional towers and bin structures may be somewhat suitablefor their intended use, they are subject to improvement. For example,there is a need for enhanced supports and structures that require littleassembly, strengthened and more durable construction, and/or an overalldesign that permits the use as an add-on feature to preexisting andcurrent bin shipments and that can be provided in a space saving mannerduring shipment.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure provides an integral structural support systemfor a bin structure. In various aspects, the structural support systemincludes at least two parallel and spaced apart support columns. Eachcolumn has a plurality of inner column sections coupled to adjacent wallpanels of the bin structure and a plurality of outer column sectionscoupled to the inner column sections. The outer column sections arecoupled to the inner column sections forming a closed shape supportcolumn configured for transferring loads from an upper portion of thebin structure to a foundation of the bin structure. Inner columns arecoupled to each other at a plurality of inner joints; outer columns arecoupled to each other at a plurality of outer joints. In certainaspects, a plurality of inner vertical splices and a plurality of outervertical splices are provided. Adjacent inner column sections arecoupled to one another via an inner vertical splice to reinforce theinner joints. Likewise, adjacent outer column sections are coupled toone another via an outer vertical splice to reinforce the outer joints.The inner joints, or joint areas, may be spaced apart in a verticaldirection from the outer joints, or joint areas.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for supporting anauxiliary structure above a bin structure. The method includes aligninga plurality of supplemental vertical support stiffeners with a pluralityof standard vertical stiffeners of a bin structure. Once aligned, thesupplemental vertical support stiffeners are mechanically fastened tothe standard vertical stiffeners. A continuous and closed shape supportcolumn is formed and an auxiliary structure may be coupled to an upperend thereto. The support column is integral with the bin structure andconfigured for transferring vertical loads from the upper end of thesupport column to a foundation of the bin structure.

An anchoring support system for mounting an auxiliary structure above abin structure is also disclosed. The anchoring support system includes aload bearing support structure coupled to a side of the bin structureand at least one anchor bracket coupled thereto. The anchor bracket isconfigured to be coupled to the auxiliary structure and to allow limitedpivoting movement of the auxiliary structure in relation to the supportstructure. In certain aspects, the anchor bracket includes a base and atleast one upstanding connection portion fixed to the base. Theupstanding connection portion defines an extending slot apertureconfigured to allow the limited movement of the auxiliary structure.

The present disclosure additionally relates to a method for relieving aload at the interface between a bin structure and an auxiliary structuredisposed above the bin structure. The method includes forming a closedshape support column configured for transferring vertical loads from anupper portion of the bin structure to a foundation of the bin structure.An anchor bracket is attached to a top end of the support column. Theauxiliary structure is fastened to the anchor bracket. The anchorbracket is configured to allow limited pivoting movement of theauxiliary structure in relation to the support column.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bin structure including apair of support columns supporting an auxiliary structure according tothe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bin structure illustrating one supportcolumn according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partial magnified view of the support column of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional view of the support column taken along theline 4 a-4 a of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view of a support column taken along theline 4 b-4 b of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a vertical support stiffener;

FIG. 6 illustrates the staggered alignment of adjacent inner and outercolumn sections according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate various embodiments of the vertical connectingsplices;

FIG. 11 illustrates a support column of the present disclosure at thefoundation of the bin structure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top section of a support column including aT-shaped connecting plate;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an anchor bracket according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a magnified perspective view of the anchoring support systemas shown and referenced by circle 14 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another anchor bracket according to thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a magnified, alternate perspective view of FIG. 15.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Specific details are set forth such as exemplary specific components,devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various specific details need not be employed, that exampleembodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neithershould be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In someexample embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures,and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to” or“coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly connected orcoupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layersmay be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be nointervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The present disclosure provides a bin structure having an integralsupport system for use with an auxiliary structure, such as a catwalksystem, conveyor system, or other structure (excluding a common roof)that may generally be constructed above a bin structure. Although thisdocument may specifically refer to catwalk structures or catwalksystems, this is not meant to be limiting and other types of auxiliarystructures may be supported above bins using the teachings herein. Theintegral support system may be used with both new and pre-existing binstructures. As used herein, a “bin structure” is meant to include anylarge container for storing something in bulk, such as grain, typicallyfound on farms and used in commercial agricultural applications, andincludes sidewalls and a roof. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view ofan exemplary bin structure, generally indicated by the reference number20, further including a pair of support columns 22 supporting anauxiliary structure 24 according to the present disclosure. As shown,the auxiliary structure 24 is a catwalk support. The bin 20 may be of atypical cylindrical shape made up of a plurality of body sheets 26 thatare mechanically fastened to one another in ring sections as is known inthe art. In various embodiments, and as shown, the support columns 22 ofthe present disclosure serve as load bearing support structures, whereinany applied load is transferred directly to the ground. They may beseparated by a length, or radial distance (D), equivalent to that of thewidth of a body sheet 26.

The support column 22 components may be added to a compatible, existingbin structure or the components may be shipped and constructedsimultaneously with a standard new bin construction. Support columncomponents can be attached to standard pre-existing vertical binstiffeners extending from the eave 28 of the bin to the foundation area32, as will be discussed below. The portion above the eave 28 of thestructure 20 may be built first, when the bin roof 30 is constructed.The portions below the eave 28 are subsequently attached to the bin wallin sections as the rings of the bin are added and the structure iselevated, typically one ring level at a time. The vertical load capacityof such a design is typically equivalent to the bin peak load capacityfor each diameter. As will be discussed below, no modifications to thebin foundation area 32 are required. The sidewall components may becorrugated and may vary based on the desired eave height, while the roofcomponents may vary based on the desired diameter of the bin structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bin structure illustrating oneassembled support column 22 according to the present disclosure and onestandard bin stiffener 23. The standard bin stiffener 23 is similar inshape and design as the plurality of inner column sections 34, discussedbelow. FIG. 3 is a partial magnified view of the assembled supportcolumn of FIG. 3. The support column 22 extends from an upper portion ofthe bin structure 20, near the eave 28, and continues to a foundationarea 32 of the bin structure 20. The support columns 22 are designed totransfer applied vertical loads from catwalk structures 24 to thefoundation 32.

FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional view of a support column 22 taken alongthe line 4 a-4 a of FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 b is a cross-sectional view ofa support column 22 taken along the line 4 b-4 b of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is anelevation view of one of the many separate vertical support stiffenercomponents, or column sections, that make up the support columns 22 ofthe present disclosure. Each support column 22 is typically providedwith a plurality of inner column sections 34, adjacent to the binstructure 20, and a plurality of outer column sections 36. The innercolumn sections 34 and the outer column sections 36 may be identical insize in shape. The inner column sections 34 may be coupled to a bodysheet 26 of the bin wall. It is envisioned that the support columns 22of the present disclosure do not require additional cross-bracesdisposed between them for added support. By using integral supportcolumns of the present disclosure and attaching the inner columnsections 34 to the wall segments 26, the wall segments 26 provide anynecessary additional reinforcement that would otherwise be provided fromcross-bracing.

As is known in the art, many bin structures include one or more spacedapart vertical support members, or stiffeners, disposed around the binstructure to support the bin walls. These vertical support members, orstiffeners are typically formed from a plurality of vertical supportstiffener components. In various embodiments, these standard verticalsupport members may serve as the inner column sections 34 of theintegral support columns 22. In other words, two of the plurality ofstandard vertical stiffeners that are spaced around a typical binstructure are one and the same as the inner column sections 34 of theintegral support columns 22.

The outer column sections 36 are coupled to the inner column sections 34to form an integral, closed shape support column 22. Such a “closedshape” will vary in design based on the structure of the inner and outercolumn sections 34, 36 and generally defines a hollow column. The innerand outer column sections 34, 36 may be substantially similar to oneanother, if not having the same shape and dimensions. In variousaspects, the inner column sections 34 and the outer column sections 36each have the same respective gauge thickness. In other aspects, theinner column sections 34 may have a variable gauge thickness, forexample the gauge thickness of an uppermost inner column section may beless than the gauge thickness of the lowermost inner column section. Thecolumn sections 34, 36 are typically made from galvanized steel and areformed having a substantially hat shaped cross section to include avertical back portion 38 and opposing angled webs 40 having extendingside flanges 42. The side flanges 42 may additionally have a curvedextending edge 44 for further strength, rigidity, and support. As shown,at least a portion of the side flange 42 is parallel to the verticalback portion 38. The column sections 34, 36 are provided with variousbolt holes 45, disposed for example in the middle and at the ends of thecolumn sections 34, 36, as well as in the vertical back portions 38 andside flanges 42. When assembled, certain of the extending side flanges42 of the inner column sections 34 are mechanically fastened to thecorresponding extending side flanges 42 of the outer column sections 36.The specific details of the mechanically fastening methods may vary asnecessary. Standard bolts 46, nuts 48, and washers 50 are shown.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10, various embodiments of presentdisclosure provide for the use of vertical connecting splices to joinadjacent inner and outer column sections to one another, respectively.Accordingly, the support columns 22 have two types of alternatingjoints, namely inner joints and outer joints. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,two adjacent inner column sections 34 a, 34 b are coupled to one anotherwith an inner vertical splice 56 forming a reinforced inner joint 58.Here, the mechanical fasteners that are used to join the adjacent innercolumn sections 34 a, 34 b are also used to join a center region (in thevertical dimension) of the respective outer column section 36. As shown,the mechanical fasteners secure the inner column sections to the innervertical splice 56, which in turn is also secured to the outer columnsection 36. Accordingly, three components are attached to one anotherforming a very strong connection, and minimizing the need for additionalfastening components. FIG. 4 b illustrates a cross sectional view of thesupport column near this inner joint.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, two adjacent outer column sections 36a, 36 b are coupled to one another with an outer vertical splice 56forming a reinforced outer joint 60. Generally, the inner and outervertical splices 56 are all identical in shape and size and when theintegral support columns 22 are fully assembled, the splices aredisposed between the inner and outer column sections 34, 36. Thevertical splices further have a cross-sectional shape substantially thesame as the respective inner column sections 34 and outer columnsections 36. As shown, because the mechanical fasteners used to joinadjacent outer column sections 36 a, 36 b are not additionally used tojoin the center region of the respective inner column section 34 at theouter joint 60 area, one or more C-shaped support brackets 52 aredisposed within the support column 22 near the reinforced outer joints60 to connect the outer column section 34 to the respective inner columnsection 36 as shown in FIG. 4 a. The C-shaped support brackets 52 areconfigured to secure the vertical back portion 38 of the inner columnsections 34 to the vertical back portion 38 of the corresponding outercolumn sections 36. In certain embodiments, a plurality of substantiallyJ-shaped clip nuts 54 may be provided to mechanically fasten theC-shaped support brackets 52 in areas within the support column 22 thatmay otherwise be inaccessible.

With specific reference to FIG. 6, the inner joints 58 are spaced apart,or staggered a distance in the vertical direction from the outer joints60. In certain embodiments, the inner joints 58 and outer joints 60 arespaced equidistant from one another. This staggered relationship assistsin eliminating or minimizing any strength discontinuity and thus allowsthe formation of a more continuous strength support column 22 andprovides the requisite strength to support the bin when empty. Aspreviously discussed, it is envisioned that the inner and outer columnsections 34, 36 may be identical in size and shape for ease ofconstruction. It should be understood, however, that providing astaggered alignment relationship of the joints 58, 60 between therespective inner and outer column sections 34, 36 will require at leasttwo column sections that have a different length; for example, at thetop and bottom region of the integral support column 22, as best shownin FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 illustrates a support column 22 of the present disclosure at thefoundation area 32 of the bin structure 20. The bottom of the supportcolumns 22 may be provided to accommodate varying stiffener base plates62, 64. Accordingly, base plates may be shimmed based upon the specificbin bottom stiffener plate 62, 64 to allow for the correct loadtransfer. As shown, for example, if base plate 62 is at the same heightas plate 66, plates 64 and 66 are interchangeable and plate 66 may lapover both bottom plates. The base plates 62, 64, 66 may be tack weldedor otherwise welded to one another.

FIG. 12 shows a top section of the support column 22 and illustrates aT-shaped connecting plate 68. As shown, the T-plate includes a baseportion 70 and a connecting portion 72 that is configured for beingbolted or otherwise mechanically fastened between the inner columnsection 34 and the outer column section 36.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an anchor bracket 76 accordingto various aspects of the present disclosure. The anchor bracket 76 maybe fastened to the T-shaped plate 68. Cooperating apertures 74, 78 areprovided on the T-shaped plate 68 and the anchor bracket 76 to allow forstandard mechanical fasteners to connect the two components. In variousaspects, the anchor bracket 76 is configured to attach to and support acatwalk structure 24 that is disposed substantially above the binstructure 22. In use, the anchor bracket 76 may be configured to allowlimited vertical movement of the catwalk structure 24 in relation to thesupport column 22 or support structure. For example, the bolt hole 84can be provided as a vertically oriented slot. This can allow forexample, the reduction in the moment transferred to the support columns22 as a result of lateral wind load upon a catwalk or other supportedstructure 24, since limited rotational movement of the supportedstructure 24 is permitted.

The anchor bracket 76 may include a base portion 80 and an upstandingconnection portion 82 fixed to the base portion. The upstandingconnection portion 82 defines an extending slot aperture 84 that isconfigured to allow a limited pivotal or rotational movement of thecatwalk tower. The anchor bracket 76 may further include at least onesupport member 86 welded thereto or configured to secure the upstandingportion 82 to the base 80. As shown, the slot aperture 84 extends adistance perpendicular to the base 80 and, when secured to a catwalkstructure 24, allows limited vertical movement of one side of thecatwalk structure 24 in relation to the support structure 22, whichpreferably remains stationary and fixed. In other embodiments (notshown), the slot aperture 84 may extend in a slightly angled directionto facilitate the pivotal or rotational movement of the catwalk tower.

FIG. 14 is a magnified and detailed view of the anchoring support systemas shown in FIG. 1. As shown, a leg 88 of the catwalk support structure,or other auxiliary above-bin structure, is provided with a cooperatingextending angle bracket portion 90 configured to mate with theupstanding portion 82 of the anchor 76 and is secured thereto using anappropriate high strength fastener 92. Not only does this design allowfor the limited vertical movement of the catwalk structure with respectto the anchor bracket 76 and support column 22 because of the presenceof the extended slot aperture 84, it additionally allows the catwalkstructure to pivot, tilt, or slightly rotate, in a limited mannerresulting from the limited movement in the direction up and down to theupstanding portion 82, as indicated by directional arrow A. Thisprovides still further relief of wind loads as discussed above andminimizes stress at the interface between the bin structure and catwalkstructures.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a perspective view of another anchor bracket76 according to the present disclosure. As shown, this embodimentincludes two upstanding portions 82 opposite one another. The leg 88 ofthe catwalk support is provided between the two upstanding portions 82.The fastener 92 is disposed between both upstanding portions 82, inaddition to the leg 88. Each upstanding portion 82 has its own extendingslot aperture 84 and support members 86 configured to secure theupstanding portions 82 to the base 80.

Based on the above structural features, the present disclosure alsoprovides various methods for strengthening the structural support of abin structure 20. In various aspects, the method includes aligning aplurality of supplemental vertical support stiffeners 36 with aplurality of standard vertical stiffeners 34 of a bin structure 20. Incertain embodiments, the standard vertical stiffeners 34 may be part ofa pre-existing bin structure 20. The supplemental vertical supportstiffeners 36 are then mechanically fastened the to the standardvertical stiffeners 34, forming a closed shape support column 20configured for transferring vertical loads from an upper portion of thebin structure to a foundation 32 of the bin structure. In certainembodiments, the method includes attaching a plurality of verticalsplice sections 56 to adjacent standard vertical support stiffeners 34to form a plurality of standard reinforced joints 58, and attaching aplurality of vertical splice sections 56 to adjacent supplementalvertical support stiffeners 36 to form a plurality of supplementalreinforced joints 60. Aligning the plurality of supplemental verticalsupport stiffeners 36 with the plurality of standard vertical stiffeners34 may include staggering the standard reinforced joints 58 from thesupplemental reinforced joints 60 in a vertical direction, as discussedabove.

In order to provide increased support, the methods may include providinga plurality of substantially C-shaped support brackets 52 disposedwithin the support columns 22. For example, the C-shaped brackets 52 maybe coupled between the standard vertical stiffeners 34 and thesupplemental vertical support stiffeners 36. The methods may alsoinclude attaching anchor brackets 76 to a top portion of the supportcolumns 22. The anchor brackets 76 may be configured for supporting acatwalk structure 24 above the bin structure 20, and may additionallyallow limited movement and/or pivoting motion of the catwalk structure24 in relation to the bin structure 20 and support columns 22.

Still further, the present disclosure provides methods of relievingmoment stresses, including horizontal and vertical loads, at theinterface between a bin structure 20 and a catwalk structure 24 disposedabove the bin structure 20. In various embodiments, the method includesforming a pair of closed shape support columns 22 configured fortransferring vertical loads from an upper portion of the bin structure20 to a foundation 32 of the bin structure. Anchor brackets 76 may beattached to a top end of the support columns 22, wherein a catwalkstructure 24 is fastened to the anchor brackets 76. The method includesproviding an anchor bracket 76 that allows limited movement of thecatwalk structure 24 in relation to the support columns 22. Such limitedmovement may include limited movement in the vertical direction, whichallows limited tilting or pivoting movement of the catwalk structure 24in relation to the support columns 22.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features ofa particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

1. A grain bin and auxiliary structure combination, comprising: asubstantially circular bin structure including an eave, a foundation,and a plurality of wall panels forming a substantially circular wallbetween the eave and the foundation; at least two parallel and spacedapart support columns coupled to the bin structure, each support columnhaving a plurality of inner column sections and a plurality of outercolumn sections, the inner column sections being coupled to an exteriorof adjacent wall panels of the bin structure, the outer column sectionsbeing coupled to the inner column sections and forming a closed shapesupport column; and an auxiliary structure extending above the eave ofthe bin structure and coupled to the support columns; wherein thesupport columns transfer vertical loads from the auxiliary structure tothe foundation of the bin structure.
 2. The combination of claim 1,further comprising a connecting plate coupled to at least one supportcolumn to support the auxiliary structure.
 3. The combination of claim2, further comprising an anchor bracket coupled to the connecting plate,the anchor bracket being fastened to the auxiliary structure andallowing limited movement of the auxiliary structure in relation to thesupport column.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the anchorbracket defines an extended slot that allows vertical and/or pivotalmovement of the auxiliary structure in relation to the support column.5. The combination of claim 2, wherein the connecting plate comprises aT-shaped member including a base portion to support the auxiliarystructure and a connection portion perpendicular to the base portion andmechanically fastened between the respective inner column section andthe outer column section of the support column.
 6. The combination ofclaim 1, wherein the inner column sections and the outer column sectionseach comprise a substantially hat shaped cross section, including avertical back portion with opposing angled webs having extending sideflanges, wherein at least a portion of each extending side flange isparallel to the vertical back portion.
 7. The combination of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of inner vertical splices and a pluralityof outer vertical splices, wherein adjacent inner column sections arecoupled to one another via an inner vertical splice, and whereinadjacent outer column sections are coupled to one another via an outervertical splice.
 8. A grain bin and auxiliary support structure,comprising: a substantially circular bin structure including an eave, afoundation, and a plurality of wall panels forming a substantiallycircular wall between the eave and the foundation; a load bearingsupport structure coupled to an exterior of the bin structure; anauxiliary structure extending above the eave; and at least one anchorbracket providing a coupling between the support structure and theauxiliary structure and allowing limited movement of the auxiliarystructure in relation to the support structure.
 9. The combination ofclaim 8, wherein the anchor bracket comprises a base and an upstandingconnection portion fixed to the base, the upstanding connection portiondefining an extending slot aperture that couples to the auxiliarystructure to allow for the limited movement of the auxiliary structure.10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the slot aperture extends adistance substantially perpendicular to the base and allows limitedvertical movement of the auxiliary structure in relation to the supportstructure.
 11. The combination of claim 9, wherein the slot apertureextends a distance substantially parallel to the base and allows limitedpivoting movement of the auxiliary structure in relation to the supportstructure.
 12. The combination of claim 9, wherein the upstandingconnection portion is configured to mate with a corresponding anglebracket portion of the auxiliary structure to allow movement of theauxiliary structure in relation to the support structure.
 13. Thecombination of claim 9, wherein the anchor bracket further comprises atleast one support member securing the upstanding portion to the base.14. The combination of claim 8, wherein the load bearing supportstructure comprises at least two parallel and spaced apart supportcolumns, each support column having a plurality of inner column sectionsand a plurality of outer column sections, the inner column sectionsbeing coupled to an exterior of adjacent wall panels of the binstructure, the outer column sections being coupled to the inner columnsections and forming a closed shape support column that transfersvertical loads from the auxiliary structure to the foundation of the binstructure.
 15. The combination of claim 8, wherein the auxiliarystructure comprises a catwalk tower.
 16. The combination of claim 8,wherein the auxiliary structure comprises a conveyor system.
 17. A grainbin and auxiliary structure combination, comprising: a substantiallycircular outer wall defined by a plurality of outer panels and aplurality of standard vertical stiffeners, each standard verticalstiffener comprising a base and two flanges with each flange beingconnected to the base by an outwardly angled member, and the base andeach flange including portions that are parallel to each other, the baseof each standard vertical stiffener being coupled to an exterior of theouter panels; a plurality of supplemental vertical stiffeners, eachsupplemental vertical stiffener comprising a base and two flanges witheach flange being connected to the base by an outwardly angled member,and the base and each flange including portions that are parallel toeach other, each vertical stiffener being coupled to a corresponding oneof the standard vertical stiffeners to form a hollow-shaped supportcolumn having a substantially symmetrical shape relative to a planepassing between each supplemental vertical stiffener and thecorresponding one of the standard vertical stiffeners; an anchor bracketcoupled to a top end of the support column; and an auxiliary structurecoupled to the anchor bracket and extending upwardly from the anchorbracket; wherein the support columns transfer vertical loads from theauxiliary structure to the foundation of the bin structure.
 18. Thecombination of claim 17, wherein a coupling between the auxiliarystructure and the anchor bracket is configured to permit vertical and/orpivotal movement of the auxiliary structure in relation to the supportcolumn.
 19. The combination of claim 18, wherein each support columnfurther comprises inner vertical splice sections coupled to adjacentinner vertical support stiffeners forming reinforced inner joints, andouter vertical splice sections coupled to adjacent outer verticalsupport stiffeners forming reinforced outer joints.
 20. The combinationclaim 17, wherein the anchor bracket comprises a base and an upstandingconnection portion fixed to the base, the upstanding connection portiondefining a vertically extending slot aperture configured to allow thelimited movement of the auxiliary structure.